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These custom orders, particularly totally new designs, particularly with approaching (or past approaching) deadlines, keep things more than exciting around here. These doors are on the more modern, minimal design than much of my work.

This move has been a doozy. After too many weeks of downtime for the move, then placing equipment, set up dust collection system, build finishing room, we are back in business.

Yesterday we broken in our new spray room with a beautiful natural edge walnut countertop - receiving three coats of our amazing earth (and people) friendly waterborne finish. Since we are behind on this order, as we are several ;(, we're all super pleased to see such beautiful success in the new room. Especially since our customer is our friend, 26 year veteran in kitchen and bath design, with Kitchen Expressions.

Debe is the best, and actually the only, Master certified kitchen and bath designer between Birmingham and Nashville.

The aesthetic (of these two new solid walnut+ doors, either was or was not inspired by our local Frank Lloyd Wright house. Honestly, I'm not sure. Consciously, it was not. But last week, after I delivered the Phil Campbell table back to the Rosenbaum House Gift Shop (for a few more weeks on display), as i was driving off, in my peripherals, I noticed almost the same design/balance/aesthetic in the exterior wall of the home. With closer inspection, Director Libby Jordan, reminded me that the walls are a good example of Wright's Usonian construction; Cedar interior and exterior sandwiching pine.

Either way, inspired specifically by the Rosenbaum House board and batten design or not, I'm quite proud to see - even just a glimmer of similarity in "our ;)" work.

Just to be clear, if there's any confusion, he's the master. No Question. I'm honored to be the student.

Lots of fun meeting these two from Venezuela via Italy and San Francisco. They seem to have really enjoyed their tour - and they LOVE Florence Alabama. -- I believe the word was "magical" - and they are sooo right. -- Hope to see them again soon.

If you are in need of an exceptional carpenter, craftsman, or geodesic dome expert, these guys seem to be looking for an excuse to move here.

I was intrigued with Pro photographer Nate Haskovec's toys. I asked him if i could hold/look/play and he was happy to share. Then, i asked how much was I holding - around $10k right there in those two pieces. Yikes - I handed right back.

But it really was fun as Nate showed me what a real photographer with a real camera can do. The striking depth of field, along with so many other benefits of dslr + the right telephoto lense, quite amazing. Thanks for sharing Nate!

The awareness and education Shoals Environmental Alliance provides for the area is huge. And i enjoy supporting them whenever I can. Each year, i've donated a small $500 bench, that goes into their silent auction held at Robert Rausch Gas Studio (his very generous donation).

Nancy Muse stops by each year, picks up the donation (in her super cool Hybrid Prius), and visits a bit. This year the timing couldn't have been better. Pro photographer Nate Haskovec was here doing a photoshoot for a book of local creatives, and took a few of Nancy (and my pal Sassafras).

Nancy was so nice to pose showing off the bench and her new Earth Day t-shirt. I think it turned out quite exceptionally. -- Nancy thank you for all you have done for so many years for our community. Your hard work is very much appreciated!

Phil Campbell documentary director and producer to be interviewed on Huffington Post Live this morning! Scheduled for 10:45 am (est), (Brooklyn) Phil Campbell and Andrew Reed will be discussing their Kickstarter campaign that will be raising funds and awareness for the tornado ravaged town, Phil Campbell Alabama.

If you don't get a chance to see the live broadcast, you can still be involved by going to their Kickstarter page to support the effort and town.

My gosh! This move has been a doozy. It's still a mess, but we're all on cloud 10, now that all equipment has been moved into place, wired up, dust collector collecting, and as of this morning the fan to our new finishing room (almost complete) powered up and fanning. Lots more work to do organizing all areas - woodworking, gallery, photo shoot suite and more, but for now we are back in business, trying to get caught up a several projects that we are a bit behind on.

We have several huge, exciting plans lined up for the new studio in Lexington. You should be hearing more by early/mid Spring.

My buddy Grace Fox just sent a link to the current Garden and Gun. Well, we've all known this for decades. But it's really fun to see that the world is getting it as well. With all the movies, musicians, artists, restaurants, forward thought, creativity, and awesome energy, it's a really fun place to "be".

And, it was nice to see a little mention as well:

Though their mediums vary, there is a commonality in the work of Florence artists, who have all found inspiration in the place’s history and land. Robin Wade takes downed trees and builds furniture that is at once rustic and modern, letting the trees speak for themselves, wormholes and all. 

After year's in the planning, it's wonderful to see the launch of the Phil Campbell Kickstarter campaign! Honestly, I don't know much about Kickstarter (although I have minimally supported one successful campaign previously.